In this episode, we sit down with Sanya, the inspiring founder of Manovichaar, a platform dedicated to breaking mental health stigmas within South Asian communities. Sanya shares her personal journey of navigating cultural expectations, academic pressures, and identity while living abroad as an international student. Together, we explore the unique challenges faced by international students and discuss practical strategies for managing stress, building community, and prioritizing mental well-being in a foreign environment.

In this episode, Ami Patel and I dive deep into the intricate web of societal expectations, hustle culture, and gender dynamics that shape how women approach self worth, work and productivity. Ami Patel is a Psychotherapist and Clinical consultant with more than 22 years of experience in individual & joint therapy, parent education, professional training and student supervision. Ami’s areas of specialty are mental health care for adults through the feminist lens of culture, trauma and gender-based violence.

In today’s episode, Ayesha (@ayeshacoaching), a somatic mindset coach, joins the podcast to explain the science and practice behind various coaching and therapy styles such as Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). We uncover the power of our unconscious minds and the impacts it has on limiting beliefs, neuro pathways and individual perspectives. Ayesha’s goal is to empower everyone, especially those within the queer and South Asian community, to be themselves fearlessly. Ayesha is a cycle breaker whose work heavily concentrates on eradicating limiting beliefs, brown girl guilt and abandoning your authentic self.

In today’s episode, the extremely talented, multifaceted, content-creating queen Alisha (@alishabhojwani_) joins the podcast to dig deep into her self-love journey that was ignited after redirecting her career and ending a ten-year relationship. Today’s episode is a proper girly pop chit chat about confidence, self-love, dating culture, friendships, redirection and solo travelling (and so much more tbh)! Get ready for some insightful, entertaining and chaotic dialogues. Grab your chai and get ready for an educational, insightful & relatable episode.

The rise of “cycle breakers” has taken social media by the horns, but what does being a cycle breaker actually mean and how does it relate to generational trauma? How does being a cycle breaker help overcome numerous health issues and general concerns for yourself and future generations? Tune in to find out, because in this episode Andrea uses her experience growing up with parents, who are cycle breakers, to highlight the importance of taking a stand and breaking negative patterns. It all starts with you!

Brown Bad and Bothered is Back!! In today’s episode, Andrea gives us some insight into her 2023, where she took a break from podcasting. Today’s chat includes conversations surrounding burnouts, breakups, identity crises, depression, hyper independence and learning to slow down. Grab your chai and get ready for a relatable episode. Don’t be shy! RATE REVIEW & FOLLOW

Mrinal Gokhale, author of Saaya Unveiled: South Asian Mental Health Spotlight, is an Indian-American writer and advocate from Milwaukee. Mrinal has done a lot of work within various minor communities, hoping to expand mental health awareness and destigmatize the issue. Today's chat, inspired by topics covered in her first book, explores the impacts critical parenting, academic pressure, model minority myth, religion, and gender roles have on mental health and its healing journey. We also discuss culturally competent therapists, neurodiversity, and men’s mental health through the South Asian lens. Mrinal is currently wrapping up on her second book, an extension of the real-life mental health stories of Saaya Unveiled. Grab your chai and ENJOY!

Gurpreet, the ultimate bestie-estie-estie, joins this episode to help ME answer YOUR questions. That’s right, we dive into all the friendship, mental health, dating, and parenting questions you threw at us. The best part? You also get to hear our favorite friendship stories of each other. We even do a bit of (crappy) karaoke. Get your cup of chai, settle down for some serious older didi advice and chaotic cackling.

Diya, @kajaldiaries, drops some serious advice & knowledge regarding financial literacy, confidence and planning! Not only does Diya address concerning trends, like educated women from challenging industries still putting financial planning aside or onto their men, but the impacts these mindsets have on women and future generations. From culture shunning women from money talk to building financial wealth as homemakers, this conversation offers lessons for any woman, at any age. It’s time we have an honest chat about the F word: FINANCES.

Sania Khan, talented South Asian photographer and dear friend, was killed by ex-husband, Raheel Ahmed. Sania was an integral member of the South Asian space and was an advocate for creative careers and finding happiness and beauty in life. Sania publicly opened up about the hardships she faced while filing for divorce and leaving an abusive relationship. She reminded women that they aren’t alone and that our society needs to do a much better job in supporting women and their right to safety. Today’s episode will celebrate Sania, including memories submitted by loved ones, but also address divorce stigma. lack of support, femicide and how we enable men.

Natasha, Relationship & Divorce Coach, doesn’t hold back in this episode. Despite having some of the best, heart-wrenching, blood pumping, and truly wholesome romantic movies - many South Asians are lost when it comes to off-screen healthy relationships. Tune into this episode to learn about how societal norms and culture impacts our ability to find and maintain healthy long-term love. Natasha also shares the reality about divorce, its stigma, and finding faith in one’s post-divorce era. But it’s not all sad stuff, we talk about the power of reconnecting, elevating intimacy, and finding your own happiness. We giggle and gasp over our shared irritation for dangerous dating trends and gender double standards over sexual needs. Whether you are single or taken, this is a thoroughly inspiring and genuinely informative chat. Now grab your chai and tune in!

Nancy Diaz, a trauma-informed specialist who is inspired by her own personal experiences, works closely with WOC and daughters of immigrants. In this episode, we dive deep into WOC trauma trends, realizing the very similar experiences WOC across all cultures and societies share. Nancy clears my doubts and questions over intricate theories and issues such as generational, childhood, and historical trauma. We explore what trauma means, due to the long-lasting impacts of historical events, for the Native American, African American & Aboriginal communities. Basically, I learned ALOT. From micro-aggressions, finding the right therapist, soul care to brain spotting, this convo is information-rich so make sure to clean up your ears!

Navneet Gill, Canadian certified counselor, joins this episode to have an open chat about brown parenting and it’s long lasting impacts across generations. Despite being raised in different generations, Navneet (@navneetgillcounselling) and I share strikingly similar experiences when it comes to battling mental health issues alone, surviving the pressure of society, and being badass cultural rebels. While the new generation is sure about what they want and don’t want to do as future parents, Navneet shares advice when it comes to implementing healthy parenting practices despite ever-lasting generational gaps. Get ready for a truly insightful and tender heart-warming episode that bonds two generations together.

Is it just me or do all desi parents say the same irritating and bizarre things that drive us up the wall? Did they all attend the same parenting orientation? In this episode, Andrea chats about some go-to phrases that many brown kids are sure to find relatable and equally frustrating. How do these phrases affect children and young adults in the long run? Is it time brown parents learn to keep these phrases out of their mouths? Tune in to find out.

Urvi, a certified life coach, joins this episode to break down all things mindfulness. With expertise in mindfulness, breath work & meditation, Urvi (@innerserenitylc) explains everything you need to know in order to start integrating mindfulness in your life. Most importantly, WHY you should start practicing it! We connect the dots between relatable brown girls problems and the role mindfulness has in healing from our experiences in the South Asian community. Urvi also gives information on what to realistically expect from a life coach and debunks some myths! Don’t wait for things to magically get better - listen now and learn how to make your life more peaceful and fulfilled.

Poonam. 21-year-old CEO of Virtue Mental, joins this episode to chat about the great impact destigmatizing mental health has on one’s wellbeing journey. Poonam (@thepoonamrahman) is a psychology, neuroscience AND management senior, determined to provide free resources for marginalized groups. We chat about our own mental health experiences while covering topics such as bullying, finding support, education as a tool and starting a business in the middle of a pandemic.

Did you know insecurities aren’t just tied to body image or relationships? In this episode, Andrea dives into the basics of insecurities. She discusses the common symptoms, main causes, and different types of insecurities that exist. More so, Andrea bares all when it comes to the insecurities she has faced due to being cheated on, PCOS, Dubai’s insane beauty standards, & embracing her brown skin.

Payal, a South Asian body positivity activist, joins this episode to chat about the various themes and "shakey" moments from the latest season of Love is Blind. Payal (@desianklet) shares her first-hand experience with the reality tv show, leaving us both in fits of laughter. We also dive deep into relevant & controversial topics such as body inclusivity, dating preferences, internalized racism, physical attraction, getting the ick, double standards and “keeping it real”

There’s nothing quite like the clash of cultures and finding your identity as a children of immigrants. In this episode, Urmi (@urmamio) shares her unique yet relatable experiences as an Italian-born-and-raised Bengali. Urmi and Andrea explore what it’s like to grow up trying to assimilate to one culture yet stay true to their parents’ heritage. From double standards, feeling left out, making friends, proving our worth, accents, finding love to defining our own identities, today’s episode is sure to hit home for many children of immigrants and third culture kids.

Valentine’s Day can be a touchy subject for those who are single and taken. Society has done an unfortunately good job at marketing love and Valentine’s to fit a one-size-all template that doesn’t match everyone’s ideal display of affection or love language. While Valentine’s can be a great time to reflect and celebrate, Andrea explores her journey and different phases that are relatable to most. From using Valentines as a test of love, suppressing disappointment and resentment for years, feeling left out, and to now finding a healthy way to celebrate the occasion that makes sense for her & her partner. Tune into to episode and make sure you don’t make the same mistakes as Andrea did this Valentine's.